Hotel Elysée

Opened in 1926 in the heart of Midtown, this 100-room hotel is a forgotten classic, although it’s finally getting its dues again since Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter reopened and refurbished the classic Monkey Bar off the lobby, turning it into one of the most celebrated nightspots in the city.

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Rooms from

£176per night

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Occupancy

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Adults

Children

Ages of children

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Location

9/10

Two blocks east of MoMA, a short walk from Rockefeller Center and close to the great stores and boutiques of Madison and Fifth, you are close to the action but tucked away enough to avoid the crush of Times Square and Sixth Avenue. Subways and taxis are ubiquitous.

Style & character

7/10

Interiors are by George Portero, a style he describes as ‘traditional eclectic’ because there are several time periods within. I liked the wood panelling and Art Deco accents of the lobby, while the lounge, with its carpeting and floral upholstery is more of a classical look. The mix works, given the nature of the clientele: hipsters, media power players and fashion types in the Monkey Bar.

Service & facilities

6/10

No spa or gym, and the conference room only seats eight, but guests do get free passes to any New York Sports Club in Manhattan. We also advise that you look into various package deals when booking the hotel, as you can get great discounts at MoMA, Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdales. The real treat though is the friendly country inn-style service — very rare in Manhattan.

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Wi-Fi

Rooms

7/10

The 100 rooms, beds with Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses, are small if standard-size for Midtown, but we recommend one of the three Presidential Suites that honour famous past guests. The Tennessee Williams is decorated with memorabilia of the great playwright, while the Vaclav Havel, with its living room, baby grand piano and full kitchen, celebrates the heroic former Czech Republic president.

Food & drink

9/10

There’s a complimentary continental breakfast in the Club Room and wine and hors d'oeuvres in the evening, but the place to be is the swanky Monkey Bar, named for the series of comic human-monkey murals done by caricaturist Charlie Wala in here in the 1950s. It’s an elegant, clubby ambience, with Midtown power players and media types dining on New American cuisine in sumptuous red leather banquettes, while a younger crowd orders cocktails and spot celebrities from the bar.

Value for money

8/10

While suites cost up to $1,500 (£970), Deluxe rooms are as low as $195.00 (£125) – great value for this location. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Yes.

Family-friendly?

It’s mostly for adults but when families stay children get a small fluffy Monkey toy to honour the bar.